Category: Halal & Haram

On Buying Products from Countries in which Muslims are Being Oppressed

I buy and sell products online and I found that most of the products I was buying are produced in countries in which Muslims are being oppressed. Should I continue buying from these countries?

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

Unfortunately Muslims suffer oppression both in non-Muslim countries and in Muslim countries. If you know for certain that your money will be used in acts of disobedience to Allah or that it will benefit individuals or companies known to be engaged in this oppression then these transactions must be avoided. If that is not the case, then you are permitted to buy products from those countries. The Prophet ﷺ allowed some trade with Mecca to continue even though the disbelievers of Quraysh were oppressing the Muslims. When the Companion Thumamah bin Uthal prevented caravans from carrying food to Mecca, the Prophet commanded him to allow them to do so.

 

Advice on Electronic Currencies

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

  • What do you say about investing in electronic currencies?

These are one of the tricks and ploys that have been used to delude people who are hoping to make some money. They have no basis in the Sacred Law and the end result in investing in these currencies will not be good.

Continue reading Advice on Electronic Currencies

On Using Interest Payments

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

What should I do with interest payments that have accumulated in my bank account?

You should give the money to the poor and needy or some public project such as repairing roads, providing medication for the sick or feeding the poor. You cannot use it yourself or consider it your property. When you give it, it cannot be considered charity but you will have the reward of preserving it and using it in a way that pleases Allah.

On Attending Gatherings in which Forbidden Musical Instruments are Used

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

Can we attend gatherings in which forbidden musical instruments are used?

If there is scholarly consensus that they are forbidden then there is no way we can attend. If the scholars differ over whether they are permissible or not, we should assess what benefit there is in attending. If there is a great benefit to be had in attending, we can overlook the fact that the scholars differ over the permissibility of these instruments. If there is no great benefit to be had, it is better not to attend.

On Listening to Music

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

Is it permissible to listen to music?

This depends on the instrument which is being listened to. If it is an instrument that the sacred texts forbid, such as the mizmar (a flute that has a reed) then it is impermissible to listen to it. If it is an instrument that is not prohibited, such as a daff (tambourine) or a nayy (hollow flute) then it is permissible, although there is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars regarding the nayy.